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MLAs evicted from Assembly

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Thursday resulting in the eviction of members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Puducherry Munnetra Congress (PMC).

Speaker R. Radhakrishnan also issued orders to the Director-General of Police to take “appropriate action” against a police head constable, who allegedly assaulted R. Rajaraman, member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), representing the Embalom segment.

Just as Chief Minister N. Rangasamy began his budget speech, the AIADMK MLAs were on their feet, holding hand-written posters and raising slogans against the government. Close on the heels of the protest, the PMC MLAs were also on their feet, flaying the government “for not fulfilling its promises.”

Repeated pleas made by the Chair to the MLAs of both the Opposition parties to resume their seats were of no avail.

The AIADMK members proceeded to the well of the House, carrying the posters. The PMC MLAs followed them. The AIADMK members sat on the floor and continued their protest.

At this stage, the Speaker named the members of the two parties and asked the watch-and-ward staff to evict them.

Much to the embarrassment of the Treasury Benches, Members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the main alliance partner of the ruling party, did not move out of the House, even after the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for the day.

They demanded action against the police head constable attached to the VIP security wing, who allegedly assaulted Mr. Rajaraman in the Assembly complex.

The Chief Minister’s assurance that instructions had been given to initiate action immediately, did not satisfy them. Then they, along with the ruling party members and Ministers, went to the Speaker’s chamber where the issue was discussed.

Later, the Speaker told reporters that Mr. Rajaraman had given a representation to him. The DMK MLAs had demanded the suspension of the policeman.

The Speaker had asked the DGP to take appropriate action against the head constable after an inquiry which would give a fair chance to him to present his views.

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